I’ve blogged before about the use of postings to MySpace or other social networking sites as a new source of impeaching evidence. In this case, an ex-husband was accused of beating his ex-wife. He unsuccessfully argued self-defense. The court quotes the following testimony about the wife’s attitudes towards her husband:

____

“On cross-examination, the defense questioned her about a number of derogatory statements she had posted about Embry on her MySpace blog prior to the incident in question:

BY [DEFENSE]: … Prior to Au-April 22nd, 2008 had you ever expressed or communicated in any way that you wanted your ex to die a slow painful death?

A I believe you’re referring to my “My Space” …

Q I’m not-I-no, I’m not referring to anything. I’m just asking you a simple question: if you’d ever expressed or communicated in any way that you wanted your ex-husband, Mr. Embry, to die a slow painful death?

A I see it right there on your desk.

Q Okay.

A It’s my “My Space” blog.

Q Okay, did you say it?

A I typed it.

Q Okay. But the answer is, did you say it? I mean is that your communication.

A I typed it.

Q Okay. And did you ever express um, or communicate in any way that you wanted to be present and dance the cha-cha around his slow painful death?

A It’s all there in the blog.

Q Okay. The answer’s a simple yes or no. You said it; you’ve communicated it some way, did you?

A If you want to put that blog there, I …

Q I’m just asking you a simple question.

BY COURT: Ma‘am, will ya just answer the question yes or no?

A Yes, I did.

Q Did you ever refer to Mr. Embry or communicate in any way that he was a worthless bag of monkey shit?

A Yes.

Q Did you ever refer to him as dog piss?

A Yes.

Q Did you ever refer to him as a worm puke stale crusty moldy inhuman horrible human oxygen sucking moron?

A Yes.

Q Did you ever communicate the desire, that because he’s older and more stupid than you, he will die way before you do?

A I believe I said please assure me that it was possible that he would pass before me.”

___

The state’s attorney redirects with this understated summary:

“BY [STATE]: Ms. Embry, is it fair-fair to say that you’re not very fond of your former husband?